The Beginning of a Changed World.

This photo of Tahila cuddling Arthur the Arthritis Bear taken by the wonderful Kids Arthritis Media Man, Rhys. Reminds me of how that one moment that someone actually listened to me about my Juvenile Arthritis struggles, is now helping so many others just like me. 

I had to create a movie looking back at how far not only Kids Arthritis had come in the past two years, but myself. From humble beginnings getting three supporters and myself around a table to discuss a way to create awareness. To a National Launch that attached not only local Identities, but community members from all over Australia together in one place. Not to mention a whole radio show on Hills Radio devoted to the world changing evening, with interviews from children, parents and community members all sharing in the cause.

We have now been named a fastest growing non for profit in our area. Offering more programs and holding more events in our first year of official operation than most other organisation of our age. This gives me great pride, as each day I awake no matter how much pain I'm in or fatigued I may be, to change the way the world views Arthritis. 

To some this is a huge fate, but to me, it's my life and will always be my life. The children I come in contact everyday all have one thing in common besides living with Juvenile Arthritis, that is; SUPPORT. 

Kids Arthritis is Australia's First organisation solely dedicated to supporting Children living with Arthritis. I know it's hard when you've lived an isolated life where you think no one understands about your child's disease, that someone or even a organisation out there really cares this much.

Well we do! We care about how your child feels, what's going on in their lives now and in the future. Not only that but, you as parents, grandparents and friends. What it feels like for you. Kids Arthritis Australia is here to help. We have parents, friends, children and professionals who live with Juvenile Arthritis everyday for you to talk to. We're all volunteers and are in it for you not for the money. We want to help and support children, their families and carers living with Juvenile Arthritis in any way possible.

If I read this ten or fifteen years ago, I would jump on the opportunity for a healthier and better life surrounded by others just like me, living just like me. If you're reading this now and know a child living with Juvenile Arthritis, please don't be ashamed to seek support from myself at Kids Arthritis Australia as we are here for you everyday. 

What is Lupus?

The year was 2013 and it was my usual Rheumy, or Arthritis doctor to those who don't know the Arthritis lingo. It starts with a blood test that usually takes more than half an hour. This is because my veins are quite thin due to the thousands of times they have been broken because of infusions, operations and blood tests.

From here it's the wait to see the Rheumy and into her office I go.

Now I am referring to this particular appointment as this was when I was told I had an extra strand in my body that is known as Lupus in my case.

Up to this point I had experienced times of getting lost while out driving, feeling more tired than usual, random vomiting throughout the day and a rash all over my body that was made worse through sunlight. Now if you have any of these symptoms please do not assume that it's Lupus, please go see you local doctor.

This moment that the Rheumy informed me of yet another autoimmune disease was attacking my body, I did feel just a bit frustrated with the result but at the same time there was nothing I could do to fix it.

Now for those who don't know what Lupus is, I found an easy explanation on MedicalNewsToday.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system produces antibodies to cells within the body leading to widespread inflammation and tissue damage.

Any part of the body can be affected by lupus as it has an array of clinical manifestations affecting the skin, joints, brain, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and other internal organs.

When I am diagnosed with a new condition, which happens quite a lot these days. I ask as many questions as possible to the Rheumy and she refers me onto the internet for more information. Some of my favourite facts (sarcasm) about Lupus that I found online are:

- Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can be mild or life threatening.

- More than 90% of Lupus suffers are Women.

- Staying out of the sun is perhaps the most important thing to do.

What does make me furious is that my Lupus may have been prevented as it's believed to be medical induced. Which means the medication I may have once taken or take now have caused Lupus. 

Even though it's another disease I now have to live with everyday, I do have a life and this life may be short for me, but I am determined to live everyday to the full and to live it supporting other children like me with Arthritis.

Until next time.

Keep smiling as you never know who's day you'll brighten.

Arthritis in Children Sucks

I started writing a blog after many years of people wanting me to write down my feelings and share my story so others can understand what it is like to have Arthritis as a child.

As I have said in my other posts that having Arthritis Sucks! It doesn't just suck in the way that missing the bus home from work or the way when you get stuck at a traffic light you would have been able to beat if the slow driver in front has moved a little bit faster. 
Having Arthritis sucks more than you could ever imagine, what makes it worse is that I know no other way of living, breathing or being.

Through Kids Arthritis when I meet and speak with other children with Arthritis they also say it sucks, then I ask why?
One child said because I can not run around with all my friends in the playground.
Another said because I can't sit on the ground to read a book with my brother and finally the one I relate to the most is.
Missing so much school due to appointments, pain and swelling which them means tiredness and nothing being able to get done. This then leads to falling out with friends and study which then makes the Arthritis worse.

Once people realise Children get Arthritis, they then learn that it doesn't just effect your joints with pain and stiffness, but it effects your emotional state. I am no saying we get depressed, some may but in my experience you just feel useless. For example last weekend I was preparing my family getaway celebration to the beach for my birthday, but my father had to step in to finish preparing as I could not stand or walk anymore. It's times like that you feel useless because all you want to do is GET IT DONE! but you can't, because the pain just makes you stop and you can't do anymore until you rest for a bit longer.

So to all those children out there reading this. Yes Arthritis sucks, but what ever you do. 
Please don't give up. 
It may be hard now but you just wait until tomorrow because it might just be a little brighter.

Until next time,

Keep smiling because you never know who's day you'll brighten.

(Here's a Sarah Selfie from my Birthday Weekend away)

How was your morning?

Something that I get asked a lot is What's a typical morning for a Girl with Arthritis?
Every day is different but a typical day goes like this. 

Woken up by the birds in the trees and a pain in my right hip. Sometimes I can move it other times I just lie there waiting for it to decide what it's going to do. I feel it has a mind of its own but then I remember, I control that mind.

As many of you know I am blind in my right eye but have minimal vision in my left eye that requires a daily contact lens or glasses use. I prefer the contact as my eyes are too big and my face to small to find a pair that fit just right. The contacts go in and usually by then my hip has decided to move.

The Meloxicam pills are swallowed and the adventure to get clothed begins.

I like to keep the clothes I wear the next day fresh next to my bed so that if I'm in too much pain to do anything I don't have far to walk to get clothed. The part that annoys me the most are my socks and shoes. I have my shoes laces pre tired so that I don't have to rely on anyone else to tie them but the socks are the most difficult part. If no one is around to help then I have the 'Sarah Way' of getting them on. It does take more time so sometimes I ask my dogs for help (not really, but imagine if that could really happen) 

Once the PJs are away in the drawer next to my bed and the bed is made I head to the gym for my morning unstiffening aka workout as the normal people call it. 

During this 'workout' my key exercises I complete everyday to unstiffen myself are:
10 minutes on the exercise bike 
100 Squats at 60kg on a smith machine
80 Lat pull downs at 25.5kg 
60 Jack knives with a 10kg weight
60 Chin Ups 
40 Tricep dips 
80 Leg Press at 140kg
On days when I am not so stiff I do more (which isn't often)
You may be thinking WOW THIS IS A LOT! but you have to remember that I train very hard everyday because if I have strong muscles, I'll have strong bones which leads to a healthier life, hopefully.

From here I mix myself a fruit smoothie full of bananas, peaches and strawberries with a bowl of yummy oats. 

What is your morning like? Head to my Facebook page and please let me know. www.facebook.com/sarahhammondgirlwitharthritis 

Until next week,

Just keep smiling as you never know who's day you'll brighten.

I have hobbies too..

When I was 15 I took part in work experience at a local community radio station and at this time I had taken myself off Prednisolne and was quickly loosing weight that had been gained through this.
My passion for radio all started because of my Arthritis. At 12 years of age I was asked to have an interview on the SA Radio network ABC. From the moment I walked into the radio studio, it could see myself really liking this. Then when we were on air it just flowed so naturally and this is where the passion sparked.

If you have read my other blogs you will see time and time again that I don't look up to anyone or idolise anyone as I am my own hero, but in a radio sense. Peter Goers is the inspiration. When I am driving after 7pm only in the lighter months, you will hear his radio show bursting from my car.
I describe his shows to others as an old fashion type of program, which I love.

From my work experience it lead me to beginning a youth show on that very station and after 6 long years it was time to move on to bigger things in the industry.
Hills Radio was where just recently as a 21 year old created "Life Bursts" a show where my host and I bring a burst of peoples lives through the air waves to you.
Other radio shows interview people about their work and their job position but at Life Bursts it's all about where you came from and why you love life, which I find really interesting.

Radio is fun as a hobby as I get to meet new people and talk all I want as I produce and host the show with Matt my other host. We get along so well and couldn't ask for a better person to spend 2 hours in a room with each Wednesday afternoon. The passion flows from us both as we work as a team to do what we both love, radio.

Having Arthritis doesn't stop me from doing what I love and neither should things in life that you think are too hard stop you. Yes sometimes it's hard but just remember all those wonderful, pain free moments in your life and everything will be just fine.


Until next week,

Just keep smiling, as you never know who's day you'll brighten.